Saturday, March 03, 2007

Gotham Chopra Gotham Chopra

Gotham Chopra is a multi-media voice on issues of spirituality, culture, and news. As an anchor for Channel One News -- an in-school educational news broadcast seen daily by upwards of 8 million American students -- Gotham reported from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Egypt, China, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Colombia, Russia, Chechnya, Mexico, Honduras, all across Europe and the United States. He has interviewed a wide range of Global leaders -- from President Bush to the Dalai Lama to associates and foot soldiers of Osama Bin Laden. He has hosted events as diverse as the Pope's pep rally in St. Louis to the action at the fifty-yard line at the Superbowl. Gotham's global assignments have sent him on patrol with anti-militant commando units in war torn Kashmir and had him detained by secret police in China, Iran, and Pakistan.

Gotham is the author of Familiar Strangers (Random House 2002) -- a non-fiction and spiritual chronicle of his travels and encounters at the frontlines of areas in conflict and transition.

Gotham served as Story Editor on the Bulletproof Monk -- a comic book about bullets, monks, gangs, and seekers. He also served as Executive Producer of the feature Film with John Woo's Lion Rock Films and MGM Studios, which appeared in theaters in 2003. He is also author of Child of the Dawn, a novel published in 1996 and translated in 13 languages internationally. He recorded The Mythical Lover on A Gift of Love -- a recording of sensual poetry by the 13th Century poet Rumi, and has served as researcher and lyrical advisor to Michael Jackson on the multi-platinum albums Dangerous and HIStory. He has also served as Producer on television specials for PBS.

As co-founder of 5K Entertainment, Gotham wrote, is producing, and will direct the indy feature Swindle. He is also the co-creator of K Lounge -- a Kama Sutra bar and lounge in New York City with more to launch internationally in 2005.

As co-founder of Chopra Media and a partner in Intent Media (with Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur), Gotham is involved in a wide-array of creative media ventures. He is the President of development for Gotham Studios Asia, the largest comic book studio in India.

Currently Gotham is serving as creative consultant to Current TV, a new television network co-founded by former Vice-President Al Gore, and scheduled to launch in 20 million American households in August 2005.

Identified by Newsweek Magazine (March 04) as one of the "most powerful and influential" South Asians worth watching, Gotham speaks nationally on issues of youth and spirituality, conflict resolution, and develops workshops to create a language for young people to bring out the internal and external issues that important to them.

In the last four days, I've been in four different cities across the US: Washington DC, NYC, Los Angeles, and San Diego. My four day sojourn is pretty reflective of my American experience. Though I've grown up and lived in the US my entire life, I've existed almost exclusively on the coasts in the "blue states" as we like to call them. As a result, my perspective, political bent, and voice is often rather far out of alignment with the American mainstream. Without belaboring the point, I'll cut to the chase: increasingly liberals and even moderates living in America feel more and more that their voices of tolerance and diversity are the shrinking minority.

Their points of view on war, foreign policy, judicial court appointees, marriage, and many other things are unpopular. There are two ways to respond to this I think: 1) Predict the apocalypse at the hands of militant conservatives who will curtail all the prized privileges that once constituted being an American or 2) Say "who cares?" It's all pretty irrelevant!

Increasingly, option two is looking more and more like the logical option. The reality is that the US is becoming increasingly out of the "mainstream" with the rest of the world. The US, more and more, is the brute on the block that won't take no for an answer. It's more and more the paternalistic parent who says: "quiet down - we know what's best for you." And what's best for you, usually means Americans flexing muscle via their military mite. But in case you haven't noticed, resistance around the block seems to be as strong as its ever been.

My theory is that the superpowers of tomorrow ain't gonna be determined by their military muscle but be their cultural strength. It won't be about missiles and blackhawks but about Bhangara and Manga. Hollywood used to be the cultural imperialist but even that seems to be going the way of Bollywood. My point is that people's allegiances aren't gained by force, rather by appealing to their emotions, their fears, their aspirations and dreams. The best way to do that is through entertainment (I think). Whoever is creating that content is the one that will have the strongest army if we're sticking with the analogy.

Enough of my diatribe - this blog is all about that shift - surveying it, chronicling it, monitoring it. The Asian transformation is underway. And that doesn't mean that those of us living away from ground zero are doomed to irrelevancy. In fact the fusion soul - the integration of the Asian sensibility into western sensibilities, technologies, and innovations will likely bring a cultural quantum leap - to some avatar we can't even predict.

Let's see what happens - all for now

Posted by Gotham Chopra at June 23, 2005 01:30 AM

CommentsInteresting article-- I also find it fascinating how "culture bombs" are far more powerful then the exploding kind.

1. Posted by Ted on June 29, 2005 05:53 PM

Dear Gotham,

Namaste,

I want to take this opportunity to tell you, I enjoyed reading your book "Familiar Strangers". Specially I appreciate your courageous adventures and exploration of the world.

I agree with your statement "My theory is that the superpowers of tomorrow ain't gonna be determined by their military muscle but be their cultural strength." When I go to chopra center for seminars with your father, I can see the culture of love, peace and joy. Just being there for few days, shifts a persons awareness to bliss and joy

When the culture of togetherness, celebration and sharing becomes more dominant, nothing can stop the collective consciousness of unity

Love,Venky

2. Posted by Venky on July 1, 2005 03:13 PM

Hey Gotham--I had to go back and begin reviewing this amazing Intentblog from the beginning. I mentioned to one of your family members on this blog some stuff about a dream I had about your dad.

By now you are just trying to keep up with inflow you are receiving each day--it is Sunday morning on July 10th--so it'll be a while, I suspect, before you take a stroll down memory lane to read what responses you received from your first entry.

I now realize I had this dream only a few days before you guys first entered this Intentblog onto The Chopra Wellness website. That dream was one of two that began to get me to start to rise up out of "my deathbed."

It is still shaky at times,but I am moving again and gaining ground almost every day. Yesterday I slipped back into sickness, but it seems to be retreating as I gain ground on beginning again with some simply yoga exercises--called the Five Tibetan Rites from a book that Dr. Bernie Seigel forwarded called "The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth."

If things keep gaining ground--then it is my hope and intention that I grow strong enough to go to your dad's institute and study his, and Dr. Simon's, yoga teacher training, Ayurvedic understanding, and everything else I can absorb.

I had a dream where I was sitting in a library-like setting and studying with your dad. He was not only very funny and an extraordianry teacher, I also felt extreme happiness at what I was doing and learning. So much so that I started to be able to levitate and float/fly around this "Hogwarts Academy-like" (Harry Potter)library.

What a feeling--I have been so earthbound and sick that I had lost the memory of what being out-of-the-body was even like.

Within the last 3 1/2-4 weeks I have watched even the possiblities of how this would be financed begin to emerge. I had literally been praying that Spirit would just get me done with the dying and check me out--I had been so sick and immobilized with complications from diabetes and some other very bizarre and unexplainable physical manifestations.

At this point, I am still occasionally waking up with my blood sugar hitting 400-550+- (deadly within about 10+- days)whether I eat, take insulin, fast--or not!

I could rattle on but it wouldn't much make sense to you if you are heading out to play basketball today. One of those situations yo have to be in to relate to.

I did want to "register" this dream with your first post so that if, one day, you actually read it, I am here, alive and health (-ier) to tell you whether I made it to your "family's" Wellness Center--and how it went. Just this Intentblog has already been a source of miracles to many of your respondents.

I can see it is by their words and know it is for myself. You have a much bigger family than you are aware of as yet--I think!A friend--Dave Hall

3. Posted by David on July 10, 2005 10:47 AM

i dont read the texte english because i'm frenchplease, speak in "français" thank-you very match;congratulationsGeorges.DESGENS

4. Posted by desgens on July 20, 2005 09:50 AM

People don't know what you wanted to say. They can't hear, they can't see, they can't feel.

Months ago I couldn't either. "I would have never imagined the beauty of life the beauty of unconditional love". From this side I see their fears, their pain, their anger.

I'ts only a matter of time they will understand what you meant.

5. Posted by Annie on August 24, 2005 09:31 AM

Please guide me as to how I could contribute to this site.

Regards,PRAKASH ALMEIDAprakashalmeida@knowledgefountain.org

6. Posted by Prakash Almeida on September 22, 2005 03:47 AM

I find many of the Blogs quite interesting and yet many cause me much consternation. There is wisdom in much of what Deepak says. Yet, one thing above all, that bothers me about so many of his comments is that he seems to predicate much of his beliefs on assumptions that he apparently gives little to no evidence of concerning himself about: 1) the source of our and his beliefs and 2 the role of language in forming those beliefs. Much though not all, of the misery and divisiveness in the world is caused because our schooling institutions have neglected teaching the complexities of these two issues. Students are not taught that words have no INHERENT meanings, must not be identified with the issues we use them to mean, and that we attach meanings to them that we are told to. Moreover, and especially our schooling institutions do not teach our students to distinguish between language that can be verified and language that cannot be verified, that is language that cannot be shown to be either true or false. Much of the philosophies, religions, and particularly theistic religions in the history of man are predicated upon just such unfalsifiable language. It’s fine to have a legal right to believe what one wants to believe, but “no man is an island,” and what others believe does affect the rest of the world. It seems to me that that being the case, we have a great amoral obligation not to believe what is unfalsifiable with such conviction that it borders on a belief of having knowledge.

7. Posted by Dr. Pasqual S. Schievella on September 22, 2005 11:52 PM

Sorry: there is a typo in my comment "amoral" is supposed to read "moral." Can that be corrected?

8. Posted by Dr. Pasqual S. Schievella on September 22, 2005 11:56 PM

As I read your blog, I smile at the higher order thinking and above the crowd opinion that liberals have of themselves as they participate in their pseudo-intellectualism -- the luxury of which has all been made possible by conservatives, their values, and successes -- continually maligned by those who have benefitted from them most.

9. Posted by Dan on April 12, 2006 03:14 PM

i admire your text ..

but will you help metell me how to create your own opic on it

regardssam

10. Posted by sam on July 24, 2006 12:51 AM

Why in history of mankind when a human like Buddha go beyond body and mind, realize the truth.Normally These Buddhas when they realize they laugh, first to themselves and then towards the world. Why?

Late in LA. Tired - been up since 5 am for some reason. Stories, ideas, thought blazing through my head. Exciting news coming up I hope - should be able to share soon and spread the word. Another day in Hollywood - selling fantasies, trying to turn nothing into something.

Be careful because the whole day can slip into meetings to schedule more meetings. Managers planning things with agents. Who has the time to really do anything worthwhile when you could be meeting? Narak is "hell" in sanskrit. Is it Beverly Hills in English.

Please resond!!!!!!

Gotham

Posted by Gotham Chopra at June 29, 2005 09:52 PM

CommentsTo me Narak is the place inside us where our deep fears converge into reality because we place our atention and intention in very unimportant superficial stuff and the universe very kindly answers back to us..If you wake up that early meditate and you will probably find an answer to what you are looking for....If you think Beverly Hills is hell you need to travel more outside the USA is and you will definetly find yourself expanding your definition of Narak. By the way in spanish the word is "Infierno"

Regards,Ramon

1. Posted by Ramon on June 30, 2005 09:28 PM

To me, hell is a place inside yourself. You can be in a slum in Rio or in a posh mansion, and either have peace or not.

The problem with making creativity into a business is that inevitably, no one really knows what the public will respond to. So meeting after meeting is necessary to suss out a way for everyone involved to profit. Wheras a non-business creative project means you can bring your story to the people and let it sink or swim...

2. Posted by Teddy on June 30, 2005 10:43 PM

LOL... even if my "hell" looks different, days like that, I just give up.

3. Posted by Aurora on July 2, 2005 04:15 PM

There are thousands of people all over the world who would give anything to be you, have your connections and the opportunity to be in Hollywood pitching ideas for a film.Be grateful for what you got.

However I know that when the mind is cloudy, its hard to see straight. I live in South Carolina but have a friend in LA who is a producer, mostly of IMAX films and I know from her how stressful Hollywood can be.

I feel guided to remind you that you have come here to help transform human consciousness, to help usher in Sat Yuga. You are not here to pander to the trash that Hollywood seems to demand. If you will clear your consciousness and allow God to guide you I bet you will accesss the power and Light within you that is wanting to be expressed.

God's got someting to say and She is using you to say it. You don't have to be Hollywood, you just gotta be you. Sounds trite but I expect its true.

Late last night I watched an interview with Steven Spielberg who was talking about his latest blockbuster War of the Worlds that is out this weekend. The host remarked that in his adaptation of the H.G. Wells story, you never really know why the Aliens are attacking. They terrorize and wreak havoc but it's never revealed why. The host asked Spielberg if he was making commentary on anything in particular. Spielberg answered skillfully and vaguely so as to insure that he wasn't offending any potential audience member and they eventually moved on.

But it occurred to me that there definitely seems to be some sort of commentary going on. Today in the "real world" we fight wars without really understanding the enemy. We demonize vague people from a world away, depicting them as "terrorists" from an "axis of evil" instead of asking what are their grievences really. We say they are "enemies of freedom and democracy" without trying to explain why that may be. In short we label them as violent aliens out to harm and destroy us and never really think deeply about why it is they have so much animosity toward us. I know I sound like a bleeding heart liberal and I guess in part I am (I am very saddened by the news that Justice Sanrda Day O'connor is resigning at the end of this term!). But I really think we need to address the reason we find ourselves in so much war. Otherwise, with our ancient habits and modern technologies, we will soon figure out a way to create a real doomsday scenario.

Btw - haven't even seen the movie as yet!!

gc

Posted by Gotham Chopra at July 1, 2005 09:25 PM

Commentsgc, I totally agree. It seems like when you try to address these issues and get any kind of public discourse started, you are labeled as being "sympathetic to terrosrist" and trying to "understand and offer counseling to the enemy".

(It is pretty sad when people of influence in this country use fear to divide the public in order to win support for their own agenda.)

I think there are a lot of people who feel the same way we do. Let's keep speaking out and let others know that the desire to understand our diffeneces and to find an end to war and conflict is not only natural, but possible to achieve. Peace,MPP.S. "Peace is the Way" is awesome in articulating that message!

1. Posted by Martin Pomrehn on July 2, 2005 12:39 AM

I recently spoke with someone from Germany about how they see Americans. They actually used our movies as an example of how they view us. The average person in Germany see us as voilent. Unfortunate and true.

This morning I spent an hour on the eliptical at the gym. On the monitors in front of me played two programs: VH1 programming a live feed from the "live 8" relief concerts being held simultaneously around the globe (to raise awareness and money for Africa) and CNN where for the entire hour they reported on the discovery of a missing 9 year old girl in rural Idaho and the arrest of her alleged captor.

As I strode away, I found myself increasingly infuriated by what I was seeing on CNN. Not to diminish the elation of a child being discovered relatively unharmed after a kidnapping - but are you kidding me? CNN - a whole entire hour on this?!!! How do they justify that? The so-called news networks in this country are embarassing. It's unfortunate that the Planet's greatest rock stars have to get together to bring attention to the continual continental genocide going on Africa. I couldn't help but note the irony. At one point, VH1 as part of their Africa awareness campaign noted that in the past hour, an estimated 20,000 people had died of malnutrition across Africa. Guess that's not news to CNN.

Posted by Gotham Chopra at July 3, 2005 03:13 AM

CommentsI don't know why they do it. I suppose that they try to show what the majority of people wants to see, and until now I suppose it has been easier for the average person to be moved by the story of one child in danger than grasp the magnitude of the tragedy going on in Africa. But times change, our perspective expands, there were three billion people watching Live 8 yesterday. I guess CNN will eventually have to shake off the inertia and change perspective, too.

1. Posted by Aurora on July 3, 2005 06:01 AM

I agree- its appalling that CNN and the other joke news networks can get so anal about a missing person, sometimes spending months on one case, and completely turn a blind eye to the millions dying in Africa.

Perry

2. Posted by Perry on July 3, 2005 04:56 PM

This is at the forefront of my mind often. Quite often. Personally, I believe that what we focus on manifests, and that we're all creating whether we like it or not. Unfortuneately, at some point the default setting for creation got set to "negativity". I wonder how that started, and what it would take to turn it around.

The excuse I keep hearing is that the news channels have to make money to keep broadcasting. But why is it assumed, I wonder, that only bad news makes money? That only media that keeps us focused on buying out of fear, instead of out of necessity or love, makes us money?

I keep looking inside for some kind of resolution to this issue... but until recently I believed myself to be in the minority for thinking this. If you go to technorati.com and look up live 8, you see that over ten thousand bloggers spread the word about it at some point. That seems like a lot of bloggers posting about one thing - especially in light of the fact that most people haven't really figured out how to get Technorati to work with their sites - or don't know anything about tagging at all. So the number is probably vastly under represented.

Even if it wasn't - that much voice on one issue, across political lines, across religious lines and all the other things we created to separate ourselves... it seems that, given the choice, we can't help but come together. And the news should reflect us - isn't that what news is supposed to be?

3. Posted by Tinu on July 4, 2005 06:40 AM

I am so relieved to see these postings. I thought I was going mad. I brought this up to my husband a few weeks ago during the inundation of coverage on the Natalee Holloway case and the missing boy scout case. I was thinking to myself that we are a country that is at war and facing numerous socioeconomic challenges and the amount of time that is devoted to these "human interest" tragedy stories is unbelievable to me. My heart goes out to any family of a missing child but I just cannot understand the fascination with these stories and the day and night coverage. I attended an amazing event a few weeks ago where the long-time NY Times columnist, Bob Herbert, was interviewed by the NY Times Managing Editor. Bob Herbert talked about how he has tried to use his column to not only shed light on injustices but to keep the focus on these issues in these increasingly fickle times when sound bytes are all that matter. He chided his own paper, the NY Times for not keeping a consistent focus on injustices sprouting from the war. He said consistent coverage of injustices rather than sporadic stories are necessary in order to hopefully incite change. However, the newspaper/newschannel has to be willing to do this even if they lose a portion of their viewership who become bored or incensed by accurate news coverage. It was interesting to see the managing editor of the NY Times squirm and try to defend the paper. I only mention this event because I was encouraged to see someone on the inside of a major media establishment who is committed to covering "real" news, as mundane and horrific as it can be.

4. Posted by Kavita on July 5, 2005 05:32 PM

That was an interesting tangent Kavita. I'll have to remember that name, Bob Herbert...

5. Posted by Tinu on July 7, 2005 12:36 AM

The media has a pivotal role to play in the evolution of human consciousness and facilitating the shift that is trying to happen today. It would seem, for the most part, they think their role is reporting all the "bad news." Since I cannot give my energy to this, I don't watch the news and only scan the headlines of the paper, to keep in touch with what is happening without basking in the tragedies. The media is a powerful tool for the transformation of our communities, society, our world. Theirs is an awesome responsibility which we, as citizens and subscribers, can help them to awaken to. Too often, we capitulate to the collective, helpless view and give away our power. Last year the Institute of Noetic Science (in their "Shift" publication) had a special issue on "Consciousness and the Media."Duane Elgin (author of "Voluntary Simplicity" and "Promises Ahead") had an excellent article on "Transforming the Media." It's worth looking up if you didn't see it. Kelley Kelsey

Thanks to everyone for their comments on the blog. So far we are a tight nit group as not many folks know about us. We expect that to change pretty soon as word gets out - it'll be nice to know that we all were the pioneers.

Another incident that I wanted to share. Yesterday I had to turn the car i've leased for the last three years back over to the dealership. I know this may sound pathetic, but I really felt some genuine sadness in doing so.

At first I couldn't really understand why. Until it occurred to me that I was essentially attached to the car. So many memories were embedded in that car. Many other people and even I, myself, in someways associated and defined myself by that car. That's being attached, yeah? It's what we fight against and think of shallow and materialistic. And even though I knew it was such (shallow and materialistic) - I'm the kid of Deepak for Christ's sake - I couldn't separate myself from the emotion of it. I'll get over it, replace the old car with a new one, and build new memories and attachments to the new car. No big deal. But I sometimes think about other things that don't come and go so easily - relationships, frinds, children - and wonder about my attachment to them. Do they inhibit our spiritual growth? A life without them often seems meaningless and empty. But a life bound by them can be a prison, no? No anwers really here tonight - just mental meanderings. Heavy D? (nickname for Deepak). Anyone?

Posted by Gotham Chopra at July 4, 2005 06:43 AM

CommentsI really love to read your thoughts, Gotham. A while ago I found out how attached I was to about everything- my place at the table, where my towel hangs in the bathroom, this special Tshirt... so I started a period of intensive "not doings", as the Toltecs call them. That meant changing everything, doing things in completely new ways, from the smallest details to big life issues. Have you ever tried covering the bathroom mirror or brushing your teeth with the other hand or parking your car in the opposite direction when you come home? It was a very useful exercise, I discovered loads of things about myself.

I don't think attachment to friends, family, etc inhibits our growth, and I don't think we can will ourselves out of attachment. But what I have observed is that spiritual growth has this side effect, that we naturally let go, that we don't cling and consider anything as "mine" anymore. It's like... attachments dissolve by themselves if you just become aware of them, you can't force it to happen. So, what's the use of fighting with it? God knows I've tried fighting my attachments :D... it never works. But once in a while I notice that this one is gone, too...

And life is not empty without the attachments, on the contrary. It is such a joy to not be attached to my children, it's the only way to truly love them as they are, allow them to be who they are, allow life to be as it is. The same with friends, and so on. So my philosophy right now is- be attached if you are, allow yourself to be where you are on your path, know that watching yourself without judgment is enough to dissolve the patterns you don't need anymore.

1. Posted by Aurora on July 4, 2005 09:01 AM

You are not alone.....I have been attached to all the cars I have had in my life LOL My first, a white rambler that the only AC was my HS girlfriend opening the window and waving the air in. Then there was the Plymouth Duster, the car that was with me during my first teaching years. VS Jetta, the firered Dodge Caravan and now the Mercury Mountineer (maybe I am dating myself here....)Now that I read these words each car sort of represents a chapter in my life.....so it all has meaning....no coincidences here. What car are you going to get now?

2. Posted by Joanie on July 4, 2005 02:02 PM

This brings me to the problem of relationships. Or maybe its the "opportunity" of relationships (heheheh) I always felt afraid of serious relationships because I thought it would hinder my "adventure", then when I would lose someone it would make me so sad, even though I knew it was my fault. How do you resolve the dichotomy of committment and freedom? I guess if you are truly unattached then you let yourself love fully and even be sad over a loss, whatever your emotions need is ok, because you realize that even emotions are just another "tool" or "vehicle" for your life's benefit, and not even they are the true center of your being. If the true self is unattached then it can let the ego be as attached as it needs to be and see it as natural

3. Posted by Stephen on July 4, 2005 06:29 PM

I have been attached to many things through my life. Attached to material things, to being right, to not being wrong, to my issues, to my role, reputation etc... What a burden that was. I am so much more lighter now. I still feel those familiar pangs every once in a while, looking closely within, and asking myself...whats important about this, and then I settle back into being and Loving me.

Life is good.... no life is great!

4. Posted by Lauren on July 4, 2005 07:28 PM

Stephen, I think you hit the nail on the head re: Relationships "If the true self is unattached then it can let the ego be as attached as it needs to be and see it as natural". I think in a healthy relationships, you need to be whole as your own person. To the extent that you feel good about yourself and be happy with yourself, allows you the choice to "committ" to that attachment of another loved one. It is natural to feel sad with any loss. It is a delicate balance. If you cross the line you deal with the selfishness that we have all been part of one time or another. That "me" stuff that we have been dealing with since we were all infants! It comes back in every stage of our lives. Just my two cents.....

5. Posted by Joanie on July 4, 2005 09:24 PM

Joanie,Thanks! I sort of had a breakthrough with meditation last week. Before, I'd kinda get angry if distracting thoughts came through, like I was failing, and trying to battle them. Then I thought, this is just a time to relax, let all the thoughts come, even disturbing ones, and let them do what they will. I felt much more relaxed after that, and that same attitude is where I came up with that thought above. Sort of let the body and emotions register what they need to, let the whole thing wash over me if it needs, the true me still exists behind all that. Besides, the body and emotions are here for our benefit, and even when they register negative things, its somehow a positive tool for us, maybe like a compass to move us in a different direction.

6. Posted by Stephen on July 5, 2005 02:40 AM

Yes, our surroundings are imbedded with the vibrations of our lives. The great thing about an event such as turning in a leased car is that it creates a benchmark in our lives. A forced (so to speak) point of change. Of course, you probably could have bought the car at then end of the lease so really it was your choice. But my guess is that you also had a desire to move on. Pesonally, I have found that these times give a reason and set time to reflect on the vibes attached to the thing we are attahed to. As you stated, you were really attached to the events that surrounded the material thing. The "thing" serves as an icon for those events.Even more poignant is the new car you got and the feelings you felt upon driving away or within a few days after acquiring when you jumped in your new car, inhaled a big waft of that new car smell; and thought about how much you love you new car and what the future holds......

7. Posted by Carl on July 5, 2005 06:02 PM

I really don't have anything to add. Attachment issues are such an issue for me that I'm learning to overcome so if I began to expound I'd be here forever :).

So thanks for bringing this topic to the forefront of my mind....

8. Posted by Tinu on July 7, 2005 12:51 AM

It has been my experience that my attachments are an opportunity to explore my fears. If I have an attachment to something, it means I cannot let it go. This is my clue that there is something deeper going on, and the person, place or thing that I am attached to has presented itself to assist me in my spiritual growth.

9. Posted by Terri Lynn on July 7, 2005 03:22 PM

Ha! Yes, how amazing it is to have sentimental feelings towards something that doesn't speak or think. A machine no less! I too had simular feelings toward my car that i wrecked a few years ago, due to bad roads. It was heart wrenching! And when i flipped my new car last winter due to bad roads, and i crawled out and saw all this transmission fluid I felt really bad. I thought, "Oh, my God my car is bleeding"! I can't tell you how relieved i was when the filters where changed and new fluids pumped into it, it started like a charm. I was so relieved! Amazing really! I guess it's about appreciating what you have and when it's gone know you are going to miss it. People have a fear about missing things, and missing the people they love. I believe that is what your attachment was a realization that time changes and not everything that we have or who we know will always be there.

10. Posted by Amanda on July 13, 2005 10:55 PM

my first car was a beautiful silver coloured honda civic..and I loved it. I took it everywhere..i had my clothes, cds, sometimes even food stored in there so I could change, eat in my car between my classes.I got into a car accident (hit by a drunk driver) and my car was completely totalled. gone..to the junkyard. It was horrible for me, I was injured but I missed my car. I cared about it-and it's gone. How I got over it? by never driving again and never wanting a new car.Is it healthy? probably not.Have no clue how to transgress this fear of ever being attached to a car...silly na. But just though I could relate :)

11. Posted by sejal on July 14, 2005 10:56 AM

Sejal,

I too never wanted to drive after my first accident. It's scary to be have no control over what is happening!! I was only five miles away from home, i was heading into town about 30 miles away to get cat food. I was bored! Ha! The roads were filled with snow and it was the year state politicians and it employees were battling it out over money, no less. The snowplow drivers were on self-voluntary strikes, despite that fact that clearing roads would save people's lives. Anyhow, I was driving slow enough going through the snow, and were i live we have high hills, and curves, and lakes and rivers. As I was driving i lost control going down a curvy hill and the only thing that stopped me from going down the hill into the freezing river water, was a guard rail. I hit twice before i was spun to the opposite side of the road. The thing i love about Minnesota are the people that live there. Someone came along shortly and let me use his phone, took to his house near by and i called my neighbor, and if luck would have it....my brother was there!! So he came, and told me that it was totaled, but i could drive it home. I tried my best to convince him that the steam coming from the hood was reason enough to not drive it, and get someone to tow it. Nope, he made me get back inside it and drive it back home, and he followed me with his truck. I had tears streaming down my face i swear the car was going to explode. Did it no! And i sweared that i would never get another car again, but when you live thirty miles away from town or any gas/food store you need transportation!! So i ended up getting another car, as i was so nervous to drive. I swear people must have thought i was an old grandma, until they passed me! And it took me months until i could drive that route again, i would add on another fifteen miles just to avoid driving that way. Then one day i told myself this is crazy!! I can not be afraid to drive! So one spring day when the roads where dry, i forced myself to take that same route. And i drove really slow, but i was proud of myself that i over came my fear. It was a great feeling!

On Tuesday, a group of alleged militantsonce again attacked the infamous Hindu Temple in Ayodyha, India. Here's the link: http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/05faq.htm

This is nothing new. Same old Gods - same old conflicts. Literally for several centuries Hindus and Muslims have been battling over this turf - whose Temple sits on top of whose Mosque, whose origin myth is more relevant to the site etc.

On the one hand, we sit around, go to our yoga classes, indulge in the exoticism of Asia that's become trendy here in the west, build blogs about the "Asian transformation" in spirituality, entertainment etc. On the other hand, we're battling over the same stupid (in my mind anyway) issues. Read the article above that is from a decidedly pro-Indian perspective btw and you are reminded of the tremendous amount of work we still have to do.

For all of India and South Asia's tremendous progress in a variety of areas, we still have an enormous way to go. These sorts of tribal turf wars will keep us from the type of real economic, political, social, and spiritual progress we need to make to achieve what we all envision. The fact that a few lunatics can atack an ancient temple and feel that they are making some sort of political/spiritual statement is sad. The fact that a nation or a people will take offense and take pride in the slaughtering of those lunatics is sadder.

Posted by Gotham Chopra at July 6, 2005 01:32 AM

CommentsJoseph Campbell says "God" is a symbol pointing towards the ultimate mystery, but when they become concretized, taken literaly, they block out the mystery. It seems like all problems are just a result of blocking out the mystery. One must become "transparent to transcendence."

1) Kind of addicted to this blog. We're growing but want to grow more.

2) Need to read more about this nytimes writer going to prison but initial feeling is very troubling.

On the one hand, I'm eager for the truth to come out especially if it implicates Karl Rove and verifes allegations from last week that he was the administration member that purposely leaked the name of a covert CIA agent. That's a violation of the law, folks. Be interesting to see what happens. But I suppose the deeper issue is the eardication of the age-old journalism law of "protecting your sources." Lots of sides to this issue....could get hairy.

3) Kind of regret not travelling to India for a business related matter. More on that in the coming weeks and months. But sitting with regret sux.

Comments1) Love this blog, but am addicted to McLauglin Group. When Lawrence mentioned "Rove" I thought I was going to fall out of my chair2)Don't understand the law at all. Feel like its always being used for the establishments purposes.3)Never been to India. What's it like? When Joseph Campbell traveled there he said everything suddenly made sense.4)Not a baseball fan, but understand that bond with a team. It's crazy but nothing's more fun!5)Sat, chit, ananda

1. Posted by Stephen on July 7, 2005 01:24 AM

Hi Gotham. I am very addicted to this blog and I don't know that much about India. It is all so interesting. I am enjoying learning about traditions and this culture. I find myself reading more about the news, even subscribed to the NY times online after you shared that news story....so thank you all. Joanie

2. Posted by Joanie on July 7, 2005 03:09 AM

Hello Gotham--I stumbled on this while going through the Chopra Center website--got sick over the last few months and this "blog stuff" is both new to me but also very cool as a means of breaking up the isolation that comes from intense sickness.I went to India (Madras) in 1980--I was on a university ship called Semester at Sea. A young mystic followed me around for three days so I finally approached him and he told me I would come back to America and study psychic phenonomenon under a teacher in La Jolla. It all happened as this young man said.The real miracle is finally learning to use a computer to communicate like this. Long ago I was a student at UCSD and thought I would become a psychiatrist! The requirements of studying computers and genetics turned me away.I am laughing at your comments about Karl Rove getting some "exposure." That is the beauty of the Armageddon (means spiritual awakening in ancient Hebrew?)--also called the polarization. The increase in the vibrations of the "unseen" worlds beoming manifest in this world are flushing to the surface all that hidden junk--like corporate corruption etc. I am seeing it flush up through my own phsyical system in ways that are manifesting some intense physical sickness (or dis-ease!).But...what is on the other side of the flushing is as Louise Hay and Marianne Williamson say--"When love starts coming up--It flushes up everything unlike itself." Watch the fireworks that hit by X-mas/2012 (+- a month). We are just at the beginning of watching the whole stage of this world get raised up. Love the doors "you and yours" have opened by sharing your family's thoughts with those of us....well--who sometimes feel less connected to the totality of family. Thanks--Dave Hall

I always refer to any individual member of the Red Sox as a Red Sock. I kinda knew you'd want to know that..

:)

4. Posted by Art on July 8, 2005 01:44 PM

1-Just discovered "blogs" and can see the addiction :)

2-My heart jumped for joy when the KR news came out, but am pessimistic enough to not expect much to happen to him - he is the mastermind of this whole ungodly mess, after all. However, everyone has an Achilles heel, and no one despot lasts forever. Thank the gods for silver linings.

3-Long ago, after a lifetime of my life NOT working, I made a pact with myself to live each day without regret. Regret is a choice, like everything else. We do the best we can at the moment we're in. I work on remembering this every day. Some days are easier than others.

5) Dad and Shekhar are partying it up on the East Coast while we surf (the internet) on the left. What's wrong with that picture?

Thanks David Hall for your response and your story. India is like that - full of saints and gurus and mystics and holy men.

India is actually full of a lot of things. Growing up, we spent most of our time in Boston, Massachusetts and our summers in New Delhi, India. For a long time, when people asked me where I was from, I gave them this sort of confused answer. I hemmed and hawed and kept it vague. While I was in college though, it became cool to be Indian - ya'know Yoga, Chai Tea Lattes, Kama Sutra and all of that became big - so I said I was from India. Nowadays no one really asks where you're from anymore because everyone seems like they are from somewhere else and it takes too long to make sense. At least in LA. And LA's where I live - but not where I am from, if that makes any sense. Time for bed.

Posted by Gotham Chopra at July 7, 2005 06:51 AM

Commentsgc- Tell "them" you are from the infinite mind of God!cu

1. Posted by Carl Unger on July 7, 2005 03:56 PM

I think what JC liked about India is that religion was intellectualized, he didn't have to just rely on the symbols. When he found a guru he went to ask his question. He asked, "If everything is Brahma, even the bad things, then why should we ever say 'no' to any of it?" The guru responded, "For me and you, we don't" It turns out that was the same question the guru asked his first guru. We embrace life, even the bad, although still trying to do what we can. It seems to me that at least trying to figure out the bad, instead of merely labeling it, is a far more interesting way to spend your time, and maybe a more effective approach for change. This doesn't make terrorism right, but surely Bush and Blair, should out of conscience look at what they are doing, and at least question it at times.